Author Archives: NomadicMatt

My Top 14 Hostels in Prague

a sunny scene on the Charles Bridge in Prague
Posted: 11/7/2018 | November 7th, 2018

Prague is a beautiful, historic city in central Europe and one of my favorite cities on the continent.

The city and I have a long history.

It was my first stop on my first trip around the world (all the way back in 2006).

Since that oriignal, I’ve visited Pargaue dozens of times, even leading tour groups through the city. I’ve watched the city become increasingly popular with travelers and expats. It becomes more cosmopolitan with each passing year.

Now, this international city is one of the most visited in Europe (go in the spring or fall to avoid the overbearing crowds) – and is home to an outsize number of hostels given its small size.

With so many options to choose from (and with so many terrible hostels in Prague), I wanted to create a list of the best hostels in Prague so you can avoid ending up at a terrible or overpriced place during your visit.

Here are my…

14 Best Hostels in Prague

1. Sophie’s Hostel

Sophie's Hostel in Prague
This is my favorite hostel in Prague. It is an upscale hostel (and a sister property of the awesome hotel, Miss Sophie’s). The rooms have modern finishings, soft beds, clean bathrooms, and showers with incredible water pressure. The downstairs bar is always lively, the hostel run lots of events, and the staff is super helpful and knowledgeable. When booking online, be sure to add the breakfast buffet. It’s well worth the extra 140 CZK/6 USD.

Beds from 174 CZK/8 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Sophie’s Hostel!

2. Little Quarter Hostel

Little Quarter in Prague
Located between Prague Castle and Charles Bridge, this hostel is in one of the nicer neighborhoods of Prague. The rooms are clean and there are privacy curtains for the dorms (always a nice touch) as well as spacious lockers. There’s a roof patio and great views from the top floor rooms. You can sometimes get discounts when you book directly at the hostel’s website. In contrast to most of the hostels in the city, Little Quarter offers a calm, non-partying atmosphere.

Beds from 213 CZK/9.37 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Little Quarter Hostel!

3. Travel & Joy

Travel and Joy in Prague
This new hostel in Prague is close to everything. The hostel is family owned so they know a lot about the city. There’s also a yummy traditional Czech restaurant onsite. If you’re here in the summer, check out the great new terrace. This is also another low key hostel so stay here if you aren’t looking for a party hostel and want something small and intimate.

Beds from 220 CZK/10 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Travel & Joy!

4. Hostel DownTown

Hostel DownTown in Prague
If you’re looking to party and socialize, this is one of the best hostels in Prague to do it. This hostels offers free city and castle tours, talent shows, pub crawls, cooking classes, beer pong, and more. They also do communal dinners a few times a week. Ask for a spot on the fifth or sixth floor, as you’ll have a great view of Prague.

Beds from 243 CZK/11 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Hostel DownTown!

5. Post Hostel Prague

Post Hostel in Prague
Another great social hostel in Prague, here you’ll find game room with a foosball table, PlayStation, and board games. There’s a free breakfast and free coffee and tea. The rooms are large, and the beds are pretty comfy (the pillows are just ok) and all the beds have privacy curtains too! I love all the art they have on the walls here. If you book on the hostel’s website, you can find all kinds of discounts, including some for students, for four-night (or longer) stays, and for birthday stays.

Beds from 297 CZK/13 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Post Hostel Prague!

6. Hostel Santini Prague

Hostel Santini in Prague
This hostel is one of the most beautiful in Prague. It’s in a baroque building that dates back to the 17th century. There’s even a piano (something you don’t usually see in a hostel) in the lobby. Located just below the Prague Castle, the hostel has lots of character, offers a free breakfast, and quiet and spacious and well lit rooms.

Beds from 308 CZK/13.55 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Hostel Santini Prague!

7. Old Prague Hostel

Old Prague Hostel in Prague
Just a three-minute walk to the Old Town Square, this popular hostel’s location is one of the most central in the city. Try to get a bed on an upper floor as the nightclub below is noisy all night. While a loud hostel, it’s central and always full so it’s easy to meet people. The dorms are bit cramped though but the breakfast is free and includes sandwiches, cereals, milk, and coffee. You stay here for the location and the social scene.

Beds from 308 CZK/13.55 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Old Prague Hostel!

8. McSleep Hostel Prague

McSleep Hostel in Prague
A family-run small hostel (just 22 beds) is located in one of the more local parts of town away from the all the tourists. Staying here you get more of a B&B than hostel vibe. The family running this place is really nice, the neighborhood is “real” Prague (local, not touristy), and it’s near one of the best parks in the city. The beds here are super soft, bathrooms are kept clean, and they even give you free slippers. It’s a very homey hostel!

Beds from 388.33 CZK/17 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at McSleep Hostel Prague!

9. Hostel One

Hostel One in Prague
This is one of the poshest hostels in the city with three locations! Guests get a free homemade dinner each night and can join in on organized activities, including drinking games and walking tours. These hostels are clean and have lounges with TVs, Nextflix, and PlayStations or Nintendo 64s. These hostels are on the more expensive side but the are “luxury” and you’re paying for super soft beds, modern ammenities, and all those events! There are age restrictions (typically age 18 to 36), so check before booking a bed. The locations are:

  • Miru – The newest Hostel One in Prague, this place is located in the Nám?stí Míru neighborhood. There are a ton of bars, restaurants, and markets nearby, and the city center is just a 15-minute walk. Beds from 313 CZK/14 USD.
  • Home – Hostel One Home is right in the center of the city. It’s a party place! Beds from 365 CZK/16 USD.
  • Prague – This hostel is in the Zizkov district, with the most nightlife and dining options concentrated in one area than anywhere else in Prague. The Old Town is a 15-minute walk. Beds from 313 CZK/14 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Hostel One Miru!

—-> Click here to book your stay at Hostel One Home!

—-> Click here to book your stay at Hostel One Prague!

10. The MadHouse Prague

Madhouse Prague in Prague
If you want to meet people and are looking for a party, this is the best hostel in Prague to do that! It’s really a madhouse here! The décor includes very cool murals on the walls. The knowledgeable staff organize events for all guests (every night!), and can also help you find cool daytime activities around town. It’s super popular and one of the best social hostels in the city. Don’t come here if you want to sleep and not party.

Beds from 500 CZK/22 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at MadHouse Prague!

11. Old Prague House

Old Prague in Prague
This hostel is centrally located with the beds and pillows are comfy, and, best of all, you get your own bed (no bunks). There’s a great courtyard terrace to relax in. It is family friendly too. Discounts are often offered when you book direct, but they sometimes require a three-night minimum.

Beds from 517 CZK/23 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Old Prague House!

12. The RoadHouse Prague

RoadHouse in Prague
This property is the newer, quieter sister property of MadHouse Prague. The staff is great, as is the location (close to Charles Bridge). It’s a social, but not wild, place. The beds are large and comfy, and there are privacy curtains and huge drawers for your things. The staff organizes activities each day, which might include tours or festivals. Be sure to join the group for family dinners – they’re incredible.

Beds from 600 CZK/26 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at The RoadHouse Prague!

13. Sir Toby’s Hostel

Sir Toby's in Prague
Sir Toby’s Hostel is friendly place to stay with super fluffy pillows and comfortable beds. This hostel is located in the Holesovivce neighborhood, outside the city center so it’s a more local and chill neighborhood. If you want to experience Prague outside the busy center, this is the place for you. Sir Toby’s also has a free walking tour that’s pretty good too! It’s also one of the cheapest hostels in Prague!

Beds from 171 CZK/7 USD. Single privates from 1,177 CZK/50 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at Sir Toby’s Hostel!

14. PLUS Prague

PLUS Hostel in Prague
PLUS Prague is another hostel located in Holesovice, but this one comes with an added bonus of a swimming pool and sauna. I really like this place, especially in the summer since they have a huge outdoor courtyard. There’s a a swimming pool and sauna here, a huge common area / dining hall, a decent restuarant, and spacious rooms. Think of this place as a mini-motel for travelers but nicer and more social. I still talk to the people I met here!

Beds from 104 CZK/5 USD. Twin privates from 1,014 CZK/45 USD.

—-> Click here to book your stay at PLUS Prague!

***

The city of Prague is filled with countless hostels (Ok, maybe not countless as Hostelworld lists 140). You have a lot of options to choose from when you visit Prague. But, rather than spend hours searching for the perfect place to stay (because who wants to end up in a dump?), this list of best hostels in Prague based on years of experience can set you in the right direction!

Book Your Trip to Prague: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. They have the best inventory. If you want to stay at another type of place, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. They are the best.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Looking for more information on visiting Prague
Check out my in-depth destination guide to Prague with more tips on what to see, do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!

The post My Top 14 Hostels in Prague appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Explore Sydney on a Budget: 13 Cheap or Free Things to Do

Sydney Opera House and Bridge
Updated: 11/06/2018 | Novemebr 6th, 2018

As my friends and I drank wine in the shadow of the Opera House, I couldn’t help but be happy – I was back in Sydney for the first time in five years and I was here for over two weeks!

“Shall we go somewhere else?” my friends asked.

“Sure, let’s get the bill!” I replied.

When our check came, I was reminded of something about Sydney I had forgotten: its high prices. Even with a currently weak Australian dollar, Sydney was more expensive than I remembered.

With its 10 AUD sandwiches, 10 AUD beers, 19 AUD cocktails, 30 AUD hostels (sometimes up to 40 AUD!!!), and outrageous restaurant prices, Sydney can burn a hole in your wallet quicker than actual fire. It was going to be an expensive two weeks if I didn’t figure out how to enjoy the best this city had to offer on a budget. Leaving no stone unturned (OK, probably one or two), I found several ways to save big here – while still filling your days and having a lot of fun.

While Syndey is never going to be the cheapest destination to travel to in the world, there are plenty of ways to save money in Syndey thanks to all the free and cheap things to do there. Between museums, markets, beaches, nature walks, and some local deals, there are plenty of ways to lower your costs on your next visit!

I’ve divided this blog posts into two sections:

Part 1: Free things to do in Sydney
Part 2: Cheap things to do in Sydney

Just click on the link above and get to the section you want!

Free Things to Do in Sydney

1. Get an Opal card
Get an Opal Card to save money on public transit in Sydney
This metro card is free — you just need to load it with money — and worth using for three reasons: it offers discounted fare compared to purchasing one-use tickets (this varies by distance); there’s a maximum fare charge of 15 AUD per day; and on Sundays, the maximum is 2.50 AUD. That means you can go anywhere on the transportation system – whether by metro, ferry, or light rail – and you’ll never pay more than 2.50 AUD! It’s an amazing deal.

2. Explore the free museums
Visit free museums like the White Rabbit Gallery
Australia has a lot of expensive museums, but tons of free ones too. Some worth considering are:

  • The Mint (a small exhibit on how they used to make money)
  • The Australia Center for Photography
  • The White Rabbit Gallery (beautiful art)
  • The Manly Art Museum
  • The Sydney Observatory
  • The Rocks Discovery Museum!

3. The Art Gallery of New South Wales
The Art Gallery of New South Wales
The Art Gallery of NSW is one of my favorite museums in the city. There are so many exquisite landscape paintings, portraits, and statues in its collection by Australian and European artists (and even a few by Monet). It’s a really substantial collection. Some of my favorites were Albert Hanson’s “Pacific Beaches,” Guerard’s “Jebel Cherib” and “Milford Sound,” Peter Paul Rubens’ “Self-Portrait,” and Batten’s “Snowdrop and the Seven Little Men.”

4. The Museum of Contemporary Art
Sydney Museum of Contemporary Art
The contemporary art museum also is free and features Australian artists, including many Aboriginals. While I’m not a huge fan of this type of art (bottles on the floor is NOT art), the Aboriginal collection was breathtaking. You can really feel the artists’ connections to their land and culture as well as the pain of past attempts to take it away from them.

5. Visit the beaches
Bondi Beach
Sydney is a city famous for its (free) beaches, and there’s no better way to spend one of the city’s many sunny days than by enjoying one of them. Try to avoid going on the weekends, when they fill up and you have to fight for space. While Bondi is the most famous, be sure to check out some of these other great beaches:

  • Manly
  • Watson’s Bay
  • Coogee
  • Bronte (my favorite)

6. Take a nature walk
Coastal walk in Sydney, Australia
There are a number of stunning public coastal walks that allow you to take in the breathtaking natural beauty of Sydney’s harbor and coastal cliffs. While tons of people do the two-hour Coogee-to-Bondi walk (avoid it on the weekends), I found Watson’s Bay and the Split-to-Manly walks quieter, more relaxing, and beautiful. Some other walks worth checking out are:

  • Rose Bay to Watson’s Bay
  • Watson’s Bay to Dover Heights
  • Chowder Bay to Balmoral Beach
  • Jibbon Beach Loop Track

7. Free walking tours
The Rocks in Sydney
One of the best ways to explore a new city is by taking a free walking tour. These will introduce you to all the major sites and give you a solid introduction to the city’s history and culture. Best of all, these tours are free (just make sure to tip!). Two suggested companies for walking tours in Sydney are:

  • I’m Free Walking Tours: Daily tours of the city center and The Rocks (Sydney’s original settlement).
  • Sydney Greeters: This is a free service that connects you with locals who will show you their neighborhood (advanced booking required).

Cheap Things to Do in Sydney

8. Take the Town Hall tour
Sydney Town Hall
Built in 1889, Sydney’s beautiful town hall is a picturesque Victorian building. On Tuesday mornings, there’s a detailed two-hour tour that you can take for only 5 AUD. It’s a great way to learn some extra history about the building as well as the city.

9. Visit the markets
Markets in Sydney are a great way to save money
Sydney has a ton of amazing markets to walk through. No matter what you’re looking for, from antiques to food to local crafts, you’ll likely be able to find it at a market. I love the Paddington Market and the farmers market the best. They draw an eclectic crowd, and the farmers market makes me want to cook nonstop. Here are some other great markets worth checking out:

  • Glebe Market
  • Rozelle Collectors Market
  • Orange Grove Organic Market
  • Bondi Farmer’s Market
  • Manly Market Place
  • Chinatown Night Market

10. Attend one of Sydney’s many events
Sydney holds many different cultural events
Since Sydney has a complex about Melbourne being called the culture capital of Australia, it tries to outdo its rival by hosting over dozens of events each year. It has art gallery nights, concerts, festivals, and much more. Most of them are free and can be found on the Sydney tourism website. Some of the more noteworthy events are:

  • New Year’s Eve (Sydney is one of the biggest New Year’s Eve destinations in the world)
  • Lost Paradise (a 3-day music festival)
  • City2Surf (an annual race and fun run)
  • Vivid Sydney (an annual light, music, and idea festival)
  • Twilight at Taronga (summer music series)

11. Eat cheap!
Eat cheap in Sydney by trying a sushi train
Need a cheap meal? The sushi trains around the city offer a filling meal for 10-20 AUD, the noodle and dumpling shops in Chinatown offer tasty and authentic meals for less than 10 AUD, and Lentil as Anything (a vegetarian restaurant in Newtown) offers meals on a “pay as you feel” system. Another cheap place to eat is the food court in the MLC Centre, a big office building in the heart of the business district and popular with office workers. From Mexican to sushi to salads to sandwiches, you can find big-portion meals for 10 AUD or less. For more cheap eats, check out:

  • El Jannah (chicken sandwiches)
  • Chinese Noodle Restaurant (homemade noodles)
  • Spicy Joint (spicy Chinese food)
  • Spice I Am (Thai food)
  • Wish Bone (fried chicken and poutine)

12. Avoid the expensive stuff
Avoid expensive cocktails in Sydney, Australia
In many parts of the world, the high end offers some value and you can walk away from an expensive meal and say “that was worth every penny!” However, that’s not often the case in Sydney. I was always disappointed. From cocktail bars to upscale steak and sushi dinners, I always left hungry, unhappy, and thinking about the lack of value I got. Stick to beer, wine, and the low-end restaurants when you’re in town. You’ll get more bang for your buck!

13. Visit backpacker bars for cheap drinks
Backpacker bars are a must for cheap drinks
Drinking in Sydney is expensive – with beers costing up to 10 AUD each – but the backpacker bars are where to go for a cheap pint. World Bar and Ivy Hotel have backpacker specials for 4-7 AUD, and the Peter Pan Travel Agency in Kings Cross has free drinks on Tuesdays!

***
Sydney is a vibrant, laid-back beach city with an incredible array of activities. If you don’t watch out, it will bust your budget really fast! Sydney may not be one of the cheapest cities in the world, but there are plenty of free and cheap events to keep you busy during your visit. I found myself with plenty of full days that ended with an even fuller wallet!

Book Your Trip to Sydney: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time. My favorite places to stay in Sydney are:

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Note: All prices are in Australian dollars.

Photo Credit: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14

The post Explore Sydney on a Budget: 13 Cheap or Free Things to Do appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.